Thompson+v.+Carthage+School+District

THOMPSON v. CARTHAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT On writ of certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit United States Supreme Court Argued Jan. 11, 1996  Decided June 28, 1996


 * Background **

When a suspicious bus driver noticed fresh cut marks on her seats, the school’s administration was put on alert. A search was to be conducted on all freshman males. Lee, a freshman at Carthage High School was expelled after the random weapons search revealed crack cocaine in his jacket pocket. Lee and his guardian argued that the search and expulsion violated Lea's Fourth Amendment rights, and that the expulsion hearing denied him due process. They were awarded 10,000 dollars in compensatory damages. The case later went to the Supreme Court where new points were taken into account. In the case of New Jersey v T.L.O. the court cited, "maintaining security and order in the schools requires a certain degree of flexibility in school disciplinary procedures." This viewpoint is later taken into account in the Court of Appeals.

The district court rejected Lea's due process claim and denied him injunctive relief. They held that the individual defendants did not violate clearly established law when they decided to search all the older male students for dangerous weapons reported to be on the school grounds. Since there was no wrongful expulsion, compensatory damages must also be reversed. In a school setting, the relevant question is whether the search is one that a reasonable guardian and tutor might undertake. The Court held that Principal Bartel had two independent reasons to suspect that one or more weapons had been brought to school that morning. Though she had no basis for suspecting any particular student, this was a risk to student safety and school discipline that no “reasonable guardian and tutor” could ignore. Bartel's response was to issue a sweeping, but minimally intrusive command. The Court concluded that Bartel's decision to undertake this generalized but minimally intrusive search for dangerous weapons was constitutionally reasonable.
 * Decision **


 * Impact on Education **

Provided the outcome, I feel the education community is impacted in a positive way. Kids continue to surprise us everyday with their acts of kindness and violence. The increase in school violence has made all school administrators more aware of the “what ifs” that happen in everyday life. By allowing teachers and faculty to act on their suspicions, an increased sense of safety can be established among students. When a student steps on school grounds they become the responsibility of the faculty and staff. When suspicion arises involving the possession of weapons, the faculty and staff must do what is in the best interest of all the children in their charge. By increasing authority on matters such as these, we gradually increase the safety net surround the school.


 * Applicable Quiz Question **


 * True/ False **

Evidence illegally seized by school officials on school grounds is admissible at a subsequent criminal trial or delinquency proceeding.

//** Submitted Equally By Samantha Knight, Joann Wagner, and Kelsey Cirmotich **//